zog
13 September 2002, 22:41
Pararescuer Killed in Afghanistan While Attending Wounded Comrades Awarded Air Force Cross
By Richard Benke
Associated Press Writer
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AP) - An Air Force pararescuer killed in Afghanistan while attending to wounded comrades was awarded the Air Force Cross and remembered Friday for his heroism.
The medal, the second highest military honor, was presented to Theresa Cunningham, the widow of Senior Airman Jason Cunningham, who died in March.
"On behalf of the United States Air Force and a grateful nation, we present this award as a recognition of his extraordinary heroism, as a symbol of our deep gratitude for his loyal and honorable service," Air Force Secretary James Roche said.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper said that in his long career, "I never approached the valor, the honor, that Jason did in just one mission."
The airman's widow was comforted by Tech. Sgt. Keary Miller, a pararescuer with Cunningham at the Battle of Takur Ghar.
About 1,000 people attended the ceremony in a 58th Special Operations Wing hangar. A film of Cunningham's life showed him growing up in Carlsbad and other events before he went to Afghanistan in February. His sister Lori Marquis sang the national anthem.
The Air Force Cross is the service's highest award and is only surpassed by the Medal of Honor, awarded by Congress. Just 22 airmen have received the cross, and only two have since the Vietnam War, including Cunningham, according to Chief Master Sgt. Gerald Murray.
Before the ceremony began, Senior Master Sgt. William Sine, who was deployed to Afghanistan with Cunningham from the 38th Rescue Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., said Cunningham "was a great guy."
"He had a lot of potential. He was intelligent. He was dedicated as well," Sine said.
Cunningham was among 13 troops in a Chinook helicopter downed by Taliban and al-Qaida forces March 4. Combat troops from the helicopter returned fire, Miller has said, and two U.S. soldiers were initially killed. Miller pulled one to the rear, while Cunningham attended other casualties under sniper and mortar fire.
Allied air strikes ended the battle, Miller said. Seven Americans were killed at Takur Ghar, the deadliest firefight for the United States in the war on terrorism.
AP-ES-09-13-02 2017EDT
This story can be found at: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAPPJYR26D.html
By Richard Benke
Associated Press Writer
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AP) - An Air Force pararescuer killed in Afghanistan while attending to wounded comrades was awarded the Air Force Cross and remembered Friday for his heroism.
The medal, the second highest military honor, was presented to Theresa Cunningham, the widow of Senior Airman Jason Cunningham, who died in March.
"On behalf of the United States Air Force and a grateful nation, we present this award as a recognition of his extraordinary heroism, as a symbol of our deep gratitude for his loyal and honorable service," Air Force Secretary James Roche said.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper said that in his long career, "I never approached the valor, the honor, that Jason did in just one mission."
The airman's widow was comforted by Tech. Sgt. Keary Miller, a pararescuer with Cunningham at the Battle of Takur Ghar.
About 1,000 people attended the ceremony in a 58th Special Operations Wing hangar. A film of Cunningham's life showed him growing up in Carlsbad and other events before he went to Afghanistan in February. His sister Lori Marquis sang the national anthem.
The Air Force Cross is the service's highest award and is only surpassed by the Medal of Honor, awarded by Congress. Just 22 airmen have received the cross, and only two have since the Vietnam War, including Cunningham, according to Chief Master Sgt. Gerald Murray.
Before the ceremony began, Senior Master Sgt. William Sine, who was deployed to Afghanistan with Cunningham from the 38th Rescue Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., said Cunningham "was a great guy."
"He had a lot of potential. He was intelligent. He was dedicated as well," Sine said.
Cunningham was among 13 troops in a Chinook helicopter downed by Taliban and al-Qaida forces March 4. Combat troops from the helicopter returned fire, Miller has said, and two U.S. soldiers were initially killed. Miller pulled one to the rear, while Cunningham attended other casualties under sniper and mortar fire.
Allied air strikes ended the battle, Miller said. Seven Americans were killed at Takur Ghar, the deadliest firefight for the United States in the war on terrorism.
AP-ES-09-13-02 2017EDT
This story can be found at: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAPPJYR26D.html